Andrew Ahn Said ‘I Do’ to a Wedding Banquet Remake

As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a die-hard fan of Ang Lee’s groundbreaking films, I can hardly contain my excitement about the remake of “The Wedding Banquet.” Having grown up yearning for representations of queer love stories on screen, this film holds a special place in my heart.

Will the upcoming remake of the 1993 film “The Wedding Banquet,” directed by Andrew Ahn on Fire Island, receive a warm welcome? Details about the new version are being released, hinting at some intriguing changes from the original plot. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ahn shared his inspiration for remaking the movie after witnessing his brother’s wedding and questioning if he would ever have a similar experience as a gay man. “I wondered if the culture would permit a queer interpretation of this event,” he said. “This film is my way of experiencing a Korean wedding – making a movie about it.” Below, we delve into what we can anticipate from the new version of “The Wedding Banquet,” including cast members, plot differences, set details, and its projected release date.

Who’s in the cast of real and fake couples?

According to Vanity Fair, Ahn’s screenplay, which he co-wrote with James Schamus, centers around a unique family residing in Seattle. Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang plays Chris, who shares a guesthouse with his partner Min (Han Gi-chan), owned by their best friends Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) and Lee (Lily Gladstone). Angela and Lee are planning expensive IVF treatments to have a child, while Min is feeling the pressure to return to his homeland Korea to manage his family business. A joint plan arises where they will “marry” in a traditional Korean ceremony, potentially granting Min a green card and providing funds for her fertility treatment. Key family members also attend the wedding, including Min’s grandmother (Youn Yuh-jung) and Angela’s mother (Joan Chen).

Will there be changes to the plot of the original Wedding Banquet?

Absolutely. The 1993 film directed by Ang Lee, based in New York, centers around a man named Wai-Tung who identifies as bisexual and has a boyfriend. However, to appease his parents and secure a green card, he enters into a sham marriage with a woman. When Wai-Tung’s parents visit and plan a wedding banquet, he conceals his true relationship. In Ahn’s remake, the inclusion of a couple seeking to have a baby through IVF is a new twist in the storyline. It might be one reason Tran told Vanity Fair that she feels Ahn’s adaptation could be “even more queer” than the original.

How does Ang Lee feel about this remake?

He wholeheartedly supports it. In a statement made to Variety in April, he expressed his delight at observing how his film from the past has motivated a fresh generation to innovate a new rendition of it. He eagerly anticipates the masterpiece that Andrew Ahn and his talented cast will produce.

Are there any first-look images yet?

So far, we have seen five individuals: Angela, Lee, Min, Chris, and even Angela’s mother who is overjoyed alongside lion dancers, as well as Min’s grandmother showing a surprised expression due to an event off-camera.

Andrew Ahn Said ‘I Do’ to a Wedding Banquet Remake

What was it like on set?

It seems very touching, as reported by David Canfield from Vanity Fair. He mentioned that Ahn was visibly emotional when speaking to the cast and crew on the day of the wedding scene. Canfield also noticed that other individuals showed vulnerability both in front of and behind the camera during his visit. For instance, Tran confided in him about her sexual orientation. “I haven’t spoken about this publicly yet,” she said, “but I’m a queer person. What really thrilled me was playing someone I felt I understood. I don’t feel like I’m acting at all in this movie… I’m here making this fantastic film with these incredible people. I’ve never been in a queer environment before. I’ve never truly felt this level of acceptance before.” Canfield also observed tears of laughter, due to a humorous vomit-related sequence.

Is there a release date?

Not yet. But according to Deadline, Bleecker Street and ShivHans Pictures have slated The Wedding Banquet to release at some point during 2025. We’ll be patiently waiting to receive our save-the-(release)-date card.

2024-11-23 16:53